Brisbane pays tribute to quiet achievers

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman will announce the winners of his 2009 Australia Day Awards at a ceremony in Brisbane City Hall tonight, ahead of Australia Day weekend.
The Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards recognise the achievements of those who significantly improve the lives of others and contribute to the vision of a strong and harmonious community.
Cr Newman said there were many things to celebrate about Brisbane, but it was the Brisbane people that made it a great city.
He said this year’s winners were real-life heroes, whom it would be an honour to recognise and to meet in person, tonight.
“The 2009 Citizen of the Year, Pastor Russell Witham has helped the homeless and needy of our city for the past 14 years in tough and sometimes life-threatening conditions,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Young Citizen of the Year Alan Huynh has worked tirelessly for an amazing 10 years providing learning opportunities for young marginalised people.
“Senior Citizen of the Year Sister Anne Josephine Howley has worked for 25 years as a grief counsellor, giving people support when they can’t find it from anyone else.
“I’d like to congratulate the winners and nominees for my Australia Day Awards and thank them for the extraordinary difference they’ve to the people of this city.”
Winners are as follows:
Citizen of the Year
Pastor Russell Witham – Eight Mile Plains
Russell’s passion has driven him to work up to 16 hours per day helping the homeless and needy of Brisbane. Leading a team of 60 people he feeds, clothes and encourages 2,000 homeless and disadvantaged people of Brisbane on a weekly basis. Russell’s inspirational talks have helped hundreds of men and women break free from drug addiction and low self esteem.
Senior Citizen of the Year
Sister Anne Josephine Howley – Geebung
Sister Anne has touched the lives of hundreds of people in need as a grief and bereavement counsellor.  She set up the first of her many Loss and Grief Support groups in 1984, working tirelessly to improve the lives of people living silently with their pain. 
Young Citizen of the Year
Alan Huynh – St Lucia
At 25 years of age, Alan is a committed community issues campaigner and youth advocate who has demonstrated considerable thoughtfulness and compassion for people in the community who are less fortunate.  He was recently elected as the youngest Vice-Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland and was selected as a delegate to the Australia 2020 Youth Summit.
Community Event of the Year
Centenary Rocks! Festival - Jindalee
The ‘Centenary Rocks!’ Festival is an annual community-based event held at the Rocks Riverside Park.  The festival is coordinated by a group of volunteers from the local community.  Last year’s festival - themed Get into the Rhythm – attracted more than 10,000 people was a showcase of Brisbane-based and international talent.
Lord Mayors Green Heart Award
Ed Parker – Mt Ommaney
For more than 20 years Ed has been an active community member in the Centenary Suburbs.  He has founded and played key roles in numerous conservation organisations, including the Community Garden at Rocks Riverside Park, Centenary and District Environment Action Incorporated, Friends of Pooh Corner, Save Our Riverfront Bushland and the Westlake Riverhills Bushcare Group. 
Lord Mayors Green Heart Event Award
Green Fest
Greenfest was created in 2008 and was based on the idea that people wanted to come together and discuss express their hopes and concerns for the future and make positive changes together.  It brought together over 30,000 people of all ages, cultures, industries and interests for three days of fresh energy and was Australia’s largest free green festival. 
Cultural Award
Katrina Mothershaw - Camp Hill
For ten years Katrina was the conductor for the Queensland Youth Orchestra’s Wind Ensemble.  She gave her time every week to the ensemble and encouraged Queensland’s young, talented, up-and-coming wind musicians.  Katrina has a passion for music, contributing thousands of hours to the Wind Ensemble.
Sports Award
Ruth Frith - Algester
At 99 years of age, Ruth is the oldest person to register for the 2009 World Masters Games to be held in Sydney in October.  She currently holds the 95-99 age group World Records in her five events:  Discus (9.85 meters), Hammer Throw (11.37 meters), Shot Put (4.72 meters), Weight Pentathlon (5544 points) and Weight Throw (5.11 meters). 
Achievement Awards
Kathleen Albert - Wavell Heights
Kathleen, at 80 years of age, has been Club Captain of the Toombul Croquet Club for the past 10 years.  She is heavily involved in promoting and encouraging people within the community to play croquet, giving her time to various community activities, including Brisbane City Council’s Growing Old, Living Dangerously (GOLD) program. 
Tony Alexander -The Gap
For more than a decade, Tony has been volunteering at the Veterans Support and Advocacy Service in Toowong.  The volunteers at the Veterans Support and Advocacy Service assist veterans and serving members of the Defence Force who are seeking assistance to have medical conditions related to their time in the armed services recognised by the Defence Department or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. 
Sergeant Jim Bellos -Upper Mt Gravatt
Jim is a Cross Cultural Liaison Officer with the Queensland Police Service. In 2005 he identified a need for a formalised link between the multicultural community, police, support agencies and non-government organisations. Jim developed a positive and unique sporting event, For the Love of the Game, which aims to promote inter-racial harmony by using a non-traditional and friendly approach to resolve conflict. 
Russel Denton -Boondall
In 2001 Russel did work experience with the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre and the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre and has been volunteering at both Centres ever since. Russel’s passion for the environment was further honed when he trained as an interpretive guide at the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre. 
David T.E. Floyd -Tarragindi
Since 1976 David has served the community through his membership and involvement in Lions Clubs International.  He has received numerous awards in recognition of his service, including being awarded a Lifetime Membership, a Melvin Jones Fellow and a Ray Phippard Fellow.
John Fox - Kedron
In 2000 John launched Group 61, a not-for-profit organisation, based in North-Brisbane, dedicated to bringing empowerment, understanding and fullness back into the lives of people struggling with mental illness. 
Jane Geltch - Geebung
For the past 20 years, Jane has given tirelessly to the local community through her support of families and people with a disability.  Recognising the limited opportunities available for people with high support needs and severe impairments, Jane spearheaded a small but dedicated team of volunteers to establish the Kingfisher Adult Learning Programs (KALP).
Hilary Lauder -Ascot
Hilary started The Bub Hub in June 2001 when she personally discovered the difficulties in getting information about certain products and services.  The Bub Hub is an online directory with 34,000 members, which covers more than 120 topics and lists organisations providing direct support for parents.
Lewis Meng Poh Lee - Sunnybank Hills
Lewis has been involved in the multicultural activities of his local community for more than 12 years.  As a qualified Architect, he has donated his architectural design services to the Chinese Methodist Church in Australia at Eight Mile Plains, the Tuckshop at Sunnybank Hills State School and produced a design concept for the proposed Queensland Chinese Museum.
Don McDonald -Yeronga
For the past two years, Don has given his time three to four days each week to volunteer at the Greenslopes Private Hospital.  Don visits rooms daily, providing companionship for patients and continually going out of his way to ensure people feel welcome and at home in the hospital environment. 
SOWN Nursery Volunteers - The Gap
The Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN) Nursery has been in operation in The Gap since 1994 and has always been managed and staffed entirely by volunteers.  These volunteers underpin many of SOWN’s activities and provide the resources for SOWN to continue the rehabilitation of Enoggera Creek. 
Susan Frances Perry -Algester
Susan has given her time to improve opportunities in the community for children with disabilities for the past 15 years.  She has worked tirelessly on numerous school boards, as a fundraising coordinator, a parental advocate, and a volunteer at MontroseAccess.
Ivy Winifred Sexton – Mansfield
Ivy has been an active member of the Uniting Church Women’s Fellowship for many years and for 25 years she has visited the TriCare Mt Gravatt Nursing Centre.  She has helped organise transport, morning tea and musical entertainment for the residents.
John Andrew Sexton - Mansfield
Jack held the position of Treasurer of the Mt Gravatt Meals on Wheels for 23 years.  Jack has dedicated a great deal of his life to the service of others, often going above and beyond to ensure that the vulnerable people in our community are looked after.
Bod Sudbury -The Gap
Bob has given many years of service to improve the safety and security of his local community.  Bob has been a member of The Gap Neighbourhood Watch since its inception in June 1975 and was Area-Coordinator from 1995 until his retirement in August 2008. 
Rachael Torepe - Jindalee
Rachael has been contributing to the Australian Breastfeeding Association since 2001 and has been a counsellor with the Association for the past four years.  She selflessly gives her time providing proactive and professional support to those in need with great knowledge, expertise, patience, commitment and sensitivity. 
Robert Wiltshire - Bardon
Robert has a 15-year association with the Rotary Club of Indooroopilly and as a teacher at Indooroopilly State High School, has been the coordinator of the Schools Interact Club for 12 years.  In this position Robert ensures the school’s “Junior Rotarians” understand Rotary ideals and play an active role in community service projects. 
For further information about Council’s Australia Day events log on to www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone Council on 3403 8888.
[Ends] January 21, 2008

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